Understandings

• Europeans have modified their environment to meet their basic needs.
• Europe is  highly urbanized and has a skilled and well-educated population.
• Europeans have created transportation and communication networks to support both internal and external trade.
• The dissolution of the Soviet Union has created 15 independent states.
• Russia has vast energy and other resources but distance and climate have provided challenges through time.

Learning Activities

Europe

In this learning activity, students are presented with a list of generalizations and challenged to provide data, primarily from the textbook, to prove or disprove the statement.

Testing Generalizations (4B)

Russia and Central Asia

The chart included in this exercise forms a way to compare the physical environments of the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia to provide insight into the process of regionalization.

Comparing Countries (5A)

In the Decisions, Decisions series students are challenged to determine what information is needed to evaluate a given scenario. In the application of the geoinquiry process students need to:

1. determine what information is needed
2. obtain information from the textbook, Nystrom Atlas, or information from past learning experiences
3. pose additional questions
4. make a decision
5. explain the reasons underlying the decision.

Would it be a good idea? (5B)

Maps from the Arizona Geographic Alliance

• Europe outline map
• European Union Countries (labeled)
• Former Soviet Union Countries (labeled)

ArcGIS Online Maps in the NPS Organizational Account

• Economic Data Europe
• Distribution of Languages within Europe
• Demography of Europe
• Major Religions in Europe

• Russia and Central Asia
• Former Soviet Union
• Countries of the Caucasus
• Central Asia